CMD at RPC

The Centre for Baptist Studies supports the continuing development of Baptist ministers through sabbaticals, learning events and responding to requests from Associations or ministers.

It supports UK ministers in engaging with the Continuing Ministerial Development Handbook in particular the five habits of learning, attentiveness, accountability, connection and review. See the Baptist Union website for more information.

See the links below for the list of current opportunities. In addition to these, we welcome conversations about how we might support Associations or individual ministers. Contact Andy Goodliff or Helen Cameron in the first instance (andrew.goodliff@regents.ox.ac.uk or helen.cameron@regents.ox.ac.uk).

Vision – our aim is to provide a culture of learning and trust based on the expertise and engaging pedagogy that RPC offers, so that ministers will regularly use our resources for their continuing ministerial development.

To this end we offer the following opportunities (from January 2025):

1. Occasional bespoke one-off or short courses

  • Previously these have covered topics such as ‘CMD Habits’ and ‘Attentiveness’
  • In future possibly we are considering courses relating to ‘Male Allyship responding to Project Violet’, ‘Governance’, and ‘Church meetings’

2. Supervision for Theological Action Research

  • We encourage Associations (and/or others) to commission practice-led research in the model of Project Violet to enable deeper thinking around questions relevant to Baptist ministers today.

3. Expert Learning fit for you

  • This would involve offering one or two online sessions for a minister or group of ministers who want to learn/think about theology/bible or aspect of ministry with someone from college
  • A list of possible areas, but with openness for suggestions

4. Sabbatical

  • Stay at RPC (54 St Giles Street) for a week and have access to the library and tutorials
  • Work with a tutor online on two or three occasions

A two-hour sessions costs £40 per participant, with a discount offered for 3 or more ministers attending.


In addition, and at no charge, we also offer a Reading Group: hosted by Andy Goodliff, that explores significant Baptist texts together online.